New Delhi: The Government of India on Thursday clarified that Operation Sindoor was launched as a direct and focused response to a brutal cross-border terror attack in Pahalgam, carried out by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), through Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh, emphasized that India’s actions were “measured, focused, and non-escalatory” and not conducted under any international pressure, as speculated.
In a written reply to questions raised by MP Ramji Lal Suman in the Rajya Sabha, MoS Singh said the operation aimed to dismantle terror infrastructure and neutralize terrorists likely to be infiltrated into India. On May 7, nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were destroyed in pre-dawn precision strikes as part of the operation, which was launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
He further revealed that Pakistan’s provocations, including targeting civilian and military areas, were met with a decisive Indian response that inflicted “significant damage” on the Pakistani military. Subsequently, on May 10, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations requested a ceasefire, which was agreed to by India later the same day.
In response to concerns over the impact of the ceasefire on the morale of Indian forces, the Centre assured that the decision was strategically sound and did not undermine the confidence or commitment of the armed forces.
Addressing another query, Singh reiterated India’s ongoing efforts at global forums to expose and isolate Pakistan over its support for cross-border terrorism. He noted that several Pakistan-based terrorists have been blacklisted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) due to India’s persistent diplomacy. He also highlighted the UNSC’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and the recent US designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, as a global terrorist group.
Regarding Pakistan’s selection as Vice-Chair of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee in 2025, Singh clarified that it was part of the UN’s routine rotation among member states. India had previously held the Chair position in 2022 and during its 2011-12 term.
Responding to concerns over continued US military aid to Pakistan and growing China-Pakistan cooperation in PoK, the Minister said India has raised these issues with the United States and continues to closely monitor developments that may affect national security. He reaffirmed that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are, and will remain, integral parts of India.
India also maintains a strong counter-terrorism partnership with the US, including a dedicated dialogue mechanism and mutual cooperation on terrorist designations, extradition, and legal assistance, he said.
The Centre assured that it will continue to take all necessary steps to protect India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security interests.
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